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The Travel Channel website states that the facts about this Rome, Italy's dates of establishment are somewhat muddled. Most estimates accept 753 BC as the start date, along with the mythical founder Romulus as the source of the city's name. Many of Rome's historical monuments and landmarks tie the city to world history and the development of European politics, arts, culture and religion. The best tours of Rome take visitors to sites that symbolize the most important events in the development of the world's first democratically ruled republic.

Trambus Open

The Travel Channel recommends this tour operator's hop on and off, two-hour 110 Open Tour or the 1.5 hour Archeobus for seeing the main historical sites in Rome. These tours leave from Rome's Termini Railway Station and give you a quick overview of the city's sightseeing opportunities. The company also has Rome by night tour service in the summer. The 110 Open Tour uses a double-decker tram that runs every 20 minutes and the Archeobus leaves every 30 minutes. You can buy 24 and 48 hour passes at any stop along the route. The tour route includes the Colosseum, Circus Maximus, The National Museum of Rome, the Forum, St. Peter's Basilica and other historic cathedrals. The tour operator provides free city maps and audio guides in eight languages. Via Urbano VIII 16C Terminal Gianicolo Rome, Italy 00165 011-39-06-684-0901 trambusopen.com

American Express

This tour company garnered Travel Weekly's "Best Tour Operator, Sales and Service" award from 2005 to 2009 and was the AAA "Tour Partner of the Year" in 2008, according to its website. The company is an American Express Travel subsidiary that conducts half and full day historical Rome tours and a separate Vatican tour daily. The company's afternoon tours of historical Rome start at the Presidential Palace and proceeds on foot through the city center, passing sites like Piazza Venezia, the Capitol and the Colosseum, where a bus takes tour guests on to St. Paul's cathedral and back to the starting point. The three-hour Vatican tour starts at the Trevi Fountain, with the guide walking you through sites like Piazza Navona, and the Pantheon. Guests then board a bus and continue to the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica. Travel Impressions Piazza di Spagna 38 011-39-06-67641 travimp.com

Italy Segway Tours

The Segway Firenze historical tours allow you to see Rome's attractions without walking to them. These two-wheeled electric vehicles look like scooters. They are ideal for travelers with little time and people for whom extensive walking through the Eternal City could be challenging. The company's guided tours for small groups let you navigate the streets of Rome without playing in auto and bus traffic, by using bike lanes. The three-hour tour starts with Segway safety training, then leaves from the center of Rome. Tour guests get headphones to hear the guides narration and insider tidbits about each of the sites. These guided tours do not stop to visit any of the attractions, but they let you see the major sites in the city, including Circus Maximus, the Colosseum, Palazzo Venezia, Palatino Hills and the Santa Maria church. The company also offers private and self-guided tours. Segway Firenze Via Ostilia, 29 Roma, Italy 00165 011-39-055-239-8855 segwayfirenze.com

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About the Author

Carol Luther has more than 25 years of business, technology, and freelance writing experience. She has held leadership roles in higher education management, international development, adult education, vocational education, and small business support programs

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